Former Raiders: Matt Bruner
9/15/2014 4:00:00 AM | Baseball
In our series of catching up with former student-athletes, we tracked down former baseball star Matt Bruner. Matt played at Wright State 1997-2000, playing second base for the Raiders. He was named to the League's All-Newcomer Team in 1997 and is still tied for the most games started with 212, sixth with 775 at bats and second with 556 assists. His middle infield play helped set a record in 1999 with 61 double plays turned.
Fill us in on what you have doing lately?
My family and I have been living in the Columbus area for about 10 years now. I married Annie Divac (former WSU softball great and the best athlete in our family) a year after we graduated. We now have three kids (Tyler, Drew, and Audrey) and every day we try to figure out how to get them to all of their activities. We absolutely take advantage of carpooling. Since my dream of playing professional baseball ended before it even started, I thought to myself, I better find a job in the real world. I currently work as a financial advisor for Robert W. Baird and in my “free time” I help coach my son's baseball team and watch Audrey's cheerleading.
I'm sure our fans remember you. What are some of your best memories on and off the field at Wright State?
I'm not really sure how many people would actually remember me, but the thought is nice. I was fortunate enough to be a four-year starter and played in many baseball games during those years, including some of Coach Nischwitz's milestones (700 and 750 wins). A couple highlights…
- Getting my first collegiate at bat during our opening game at Western Carolina (the pitcher seemed five feet away and I am sure I struck out on three pitches).
- Getting my first collegiate hit in my next at bat and having all of my teammates sign the ball (I still have it).
- Hitting my first (of few) home runs against Murray State and actually thinking I was going to hit many more.
- Every time we turned a double play. We took pride in defense and I think our 1999 team still holds the single season record for double plays turned.
- Picking runners off of second base. It was automatic with Mark Squire. Every time he would come into the game, it was a given…we were going to throw back on the second pitch. I don't think we missed many.
- Seeing my parents in the stands on many occasions. I think my Dad only missed two or three games the entire time I played at WSU.
- Hanging out with my teammates in Cimarron Woods
- FINALLY seeing the completion of Nischwitz Stadium with my teammates and coaches (Nisch, Bo Bilinski and Dan Bassler).
Are you able to keep up with some of the friends made while at WSU? (If so, name a few.)
I've tried hard over the years to make sure that I kept in touch with my good friends and teammates that I've met along the way and fortunate enough to still call many of them my friends. Getting great news that a buddy is having yet another kid (Tom Bohr), or the unfortunate news that my old roommate and teammate Jason Krenzke passed away from cancer. It will always be important to me to keep in contact. Being able to go on vacation to Florida and meet up with an old friend and teammate Towann Jenkins and basically picking up where we left off years ago. No way I can name everyone, but Rob Bruns, Jim Morris, Tom Bohr, Jim Shultman, Scott Blair, Sam McAninch, Chris Bedford, Andrew Theado, Chuck Kesterke, Chad Brant, Billy Johnson, Dusty Beam, Mark Squire, TD Hicks just to name a few.
One funny story… current Raider head coach Greg “Love” Lovelady and I met during summer baseball out in San Francisco. While playing for the San Francisco Seals, we were actually teammates and roommates. Before he came here with Rob Cooper several years ago, he probably never even heard of Dayton, Ohio.
How did sports help you prepare for your life now? Still keeping involved in sports?
Sports prepared me that nothing comes easy. You have to grind and work really hard to get results out of everything. Preparing is one of the most important aspects of anything you do.
The only sports I am involved with anymore is coaching. I enjoy watching my kids play.
Any messages for current student-athletes at WSU?
You have the privilege of playing Division I collegiate athletics. Don't take anything for granted.
For the people you meet along the way, don't burn any bridges, because you never know when and in what form, you may run into them again.
Have fun! There is no other time in your life where you can live off $50 for the week and sleep in until 10 am in the off season.
